Archbishop Gallagher urges OSCE to resume the “Spirit of Helsinki”

By Lisa Zengarini

As the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) prepares to celebrate the 50th anniversary of its founding in 2025, Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher expressed the Holy See’s “great concern” over growing divisions among its members which he says are obscuring “the very roots” of the organization and affecting its daily work amid growing global challenges.

“It is crucial to preserve the Organization, especially at a time when dialogue, de-escalation and détente are necessary,” the Vatican Secretary for Relations with States and other organizations underlined Thursday during his speech at the 31st OSCE Ministerial Council in Valletta, Malta. .

Representatives from 40 of the 57 OSCE member states, as well as cooperation partners from the Asian and Mediterranean regions, are participating in two-day discussions focused on assessing the current security landscape in the Euro- Atlantic and Eurasian, on current challenges, the review of OSCE operations as well as the appointment of the four highest positions in the organization.

Respect the founding principles of the OSCE

In his statement, Archbishop Gallagher highlighted the critical importance of respecting the OSCE principles enshrined in the Helsinki Final Act of 1975, its founding document, in meeting the new challenges facing the world today. today.

He recalled that this historic agreement intended to reduce Cold War tensions was based on the idea “that peace is not simply the absence of war or the maintenance of a balance of powers, but rather the fruit of friendly relations, constructive dialogue and cooperation. between States in compliance with their obligations under international law and respect for all universal human rights. »

Divisions and breakdown of trust between Member States

However, he noted, this vision is today compromised by the absence of procedural consensus within the OSCE but “above all by a growing breakdown in mutual trust between certain participating States, an increase in ideological aggression and blatant disregard” for these principles. .

War in Ukraine and other geopolitical tensions

Archbishop Gallagher mentioned in particular the ongoing war in Ukraine, as well as the wider geopolitical tensions causing fragmentation within the OSCE, as well as the prolonged delay in the allocation of leadership positions and the lack of progress on decisions, such as that of the 2026 presidency.

Recalling that “the strength and uniqueness of the organization lies in the diversity of perspectives that enrich its dialogue and decision-making processes,” the Vatican diplomat warned against transforming the organization into a forum “reserved only to like-minded States” and warned that abandoning the search for consensus could lead to its “self-annihilation” or a distortion of the “spirit of Helsinki”.

The indispensable role of the OSCE as a forum for dialogue

In conclusion, Archbishop Gallagher reaffirmed the indispensable role of the OSCE as a forum for dialogue and negotiation, urging Member States to preserve its unique mission and calling for renewed efforts to foster dialogue, de-escalation and consensus-building, particularly in light of current global tensions. .